Tension device for wires, straps, and the like

ABSTRACT

A tensioning device for flexible wires, straps, and the like utilizes a U-shape yoke having parallel legs through which passes a straight portion of a cylindrical rod about which the flexible wire or strap is wound by rotation of the rod to provide the desired tension. One end of the rod is threaded and provided with a securing nut on the outside of the associated yoke leg and a lock nut on the inside of the same leg for controlling the endwise movement of the straight portion of the rod relative to the yoke. The other end of the rod is provided with a bent portion which aids in the rotation of the rod to wind up the flexible member thereon and which is interengaged with a part of the associated yoke leg to hold the rod against unwinding action after the desired tension has been attained. The nuts at the other end of the rod hold this locking position.

United States Patent Harwell 1 July 4, 1972 [54] TENSION DEVICE FOR WIRES,

[51] Int. Cl. .i [58] Field of Search ..24/68, 16, 19, 269, 71.1, 71.2, 24/713; 254/161, 165; 248/361 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 551,504 12/1895 Leonard ..'..;....24/71.2 UX 3,416,763 12/1968 Moreno ..254/l61 X Primary Examiner- Donald A. (iriffin Attorney-Baldwin, Egan, Walling & Fetzer [57 ABSTRACT A tensioning device for flexible wires, straps, and the like utilizes a U-shape yoke having parallel legs through which passes a straight portion of a cylindrical rod about which the flexible wire 'or strap is wound by rotation of the rod to provide the desired tension. One end of the rod is threaded and provided with a securing nut on the outside of the associated yoke leg and a lock nut on the inside of the same leg for controlling the endwisemovement of the straight portion of the rod relative to the yoke. The other end of the rod is provided with a bent portion which aids in the rotation of the rod to wind up the flexible member thereon and which is interengaged with a part of the associated yoke leg to hold the rod against unwinding action after the desired tension has been attained. The nuts at the other end of the rod hold this locking position.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PETENTEDJULA I972 Q 3. 673.642

INVENTOR. EARNEST W. HARWELL TENSION DEVICE FOR WIRES, STRAPS, AND THE LIKE One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple device, especially suited for use in tightening and holding in a taut state any line or strap which may require retightening or tensioning at intervals. Such an application might be found in an anchor for a mobile home, an anchor line for a plane or a boat, and similar uses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device having a small number of parts which are easily made and easily assembled, and trouble-free in use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be aparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is aside elevational view of the same showing one of the positions of the bent end of the securing rod in full lines and another position in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the invention; while FIG. 5 is a fragmental view taken from the position of the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of this invention wherein a U-shape yoke or frame provides two spaced parallel legs 10a and 10b. Any desired means is provided for fastening the yoke 10 to a fixed support, such as the rod 11 attached to the cross piece of the U-shapeyoke. Registering through openings 12 are'provided in the legs of the yoke through which passes the straight portion 13a of a generally cylindrical rod 13. The rod is rotatable in the openings 12. The rod 13 is also movable endwise relative to the yoke 10 and means is provided for holding the rod in different adjusted positions endwise relative to the yoke. A securing nut 14 is threaded on the left-hand end of rod 13 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 on the outside of the yoke leg 100. A lock nut 15 is also threaded on the rod .13 on the inside face of the leg 10a.

Means is provided for attaching one end of a flexible member, such as a wire, strap or the like, 16 to the rod portion 13a for winding. This may be a through opening 17 passing through a diameter of the rod portion 13a or the rod could have a central slot cut on a diameter beginning at the left-hand end of rod 13 as viewed in FIG. 1 so as to enter the strap member 16 in the position shown in FIG. 1. Obviously, in the case of a wire or the like, a round hole could be pierced through the rod portion 13a on a diameter thereof.

The right-hand end of rod 13 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 is provided with a bent portion 13b adapted to interengage with a portion of the yoke leg 10b upon endwise movement of the rod portion 13a toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1 in order to lock the rod 13 against unwinding when the tensioning process is completed. To this end, the end portion 13b in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 makes a U-turn back toward the yoke capable of embracing that portion of the associated yoke leg 10!; between the straight portion of the rod 13a and one edge of the associated yoke leg 10b as indicated at 18 in FIG. 3.

Preferably, but not necessarily, flattened portions 130 may be provided on opposite sides of the bent portion 13b of the rod 13 so that the bent portion may be more easily gripped by a wrench. Otherwise, the rod 13 may be rotated to provide the desired tension by passing a bar through the space between the bends of the U-turn shown at 13b. 1

The use of the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 should now be apparent. With the yoke 10 fastened through the member 11 to some fixed support or anchor, the parts are placed in the position of FIG. 1 with the flexible tensioning member 16 attached to a mobile home or vehicle which it is desired to anchor under tension. This member 16 is passed through an opening in the rod portion 13a as previously described. The bent portion 13b of the rod is then rotated to wind the flexible member 16 upon the rod portion 13a, the nuts 14 and 15 being sufficiently loosened at this time to provide for the desired rotation of the rod 13 while at the same time holding the bent portion 13b clear of the yoke leg 10b. When sufficient tension is achieved in the flexible member 16, and with the rod portion 13b in the full line position of FIGS. 2 and 3, the nuts 14 and 15 are so manipulated as to move the rod portion 13a endwise toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, until the bent portion 13b reaches the position shown in FIG. 3 where it embraces that portion of the yoke leg 10b between the straight portion of the rod 134 and one end of the associated yoke leg at 18. In this position the nuts 14 and 15 are tightened, after which the tensioned member 16 is held firmly in position.

In the modification of FIG. 4, all parts performing the same function as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference characters with a prime suflix. The only difference between this embodiment and that first described is in the bent portion of the rod 13', and the manner in which the same is interengaged with the associated leg of the yoke 10 to provide locking engagement after the flexible member v16' has been tensioned.

Here the bent portion 130 has a right angle bend away from the straight portion 13a of the rod 13', and a recess 19 is provided in the yoke leg 10b, this recess extending radially from the opening 12' through which the rod 13' extends. This recess 19 could extend in any radial direction but a simple manner to form the same is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 where the recess extends longitudinally of the leg 10); of the yoke.

In use, the operation of the second embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is quite similar to that shown in FIGS. 1, '2 and 3. With the parts in the position of FIG. 4 and with the nuts 14' and 15 loosened, the flexible member 16' is engaged in a slot 17' in the straight portion 130' of the rod 13' between the legs of the yoke. The member 16' is then wound on the rod portion 13a by rotation of the rod using the bent portion 130. If a wrench is used, then flattened portions on opposite sides of the rod bent portion 130 may be provided as suggested at 130 in the first embodiment. Another manner would be to place a length of pipe over the end of the bent portion 130. In any case, the rod 13 is rotated until sufl'icient tension is achieved in the member 16', after which the nuts 14 and 15 are manipulated to carry the rod portion 130 from the position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 5 where it is received in a locking interengaging manner in the recess 19 as shown in FIG. 5. Then tightening of the nuts 14' and 15' hold this position as long as desired.

It should be obvious that in both embodiments of this invention the lock nut 15 may be utilized to push the rod 13 or 13' towardthe right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively, in order to disengage the bent portion 13b or 130 when it is desired to release the tension in the flexible member 16 or 16.

What is claimed is:

l. A tensioning device for flexible members such as wires, straps and the like to be tensioned, comprising a generally U- shape yoke adapted to be fastened to a support, said yoke having two spaced parallel legs, there being registering circular openings in said legs, a generally cylindrical rod having a straight portion passing through said opening and rotatable therein and extending outside of said legs, one end of said rod being threaded, a securing nut threaded on said one end of said rod outside of the associated leg, a lock nut threaded on said one end of said rod inside of the associated leg, said nuts being adjustable on said rod to control its position endwise relative to said yoke, means for securing one end of a flexible member to said rod between said legs, there being a bent portion in the other end of said rod at its distal end, said bent portion aiding in the rotation of said rod to wind said flexible member thereon, and said bent portion and the associated leg of said yoke having interengaging parts movable by endwise movement of said rod into locking engagement after said flexible member has been tensioned by winding the same on said rod, which engagement is maintained by adjustment of said nuts.

2. A tensioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bent portion of said rod makes a U-tum back toward said yoke capable of embracing that portion of the associated yoke leg between the straight portion of said rod and one edge of said associated yoke leg, saidvbent portion of said rod and said embraced portion of said leg providing said interengaging parts.

3. A tensioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bent portion of said rodmakes substantially a right angle bend away from the straight portion of said rod, there being a recess in the outer face of the associated yoke leg extending radially from said opening in said associated leg through which said rod extends, and said recess receiving said right angle bend upon endwise movement of said rod relative to said yoke and providing said interengaging parts for locking said rod against turning.

t i i l 

1. A tensioning device for flexible members such as wires, straps and the like to be tensioned, comprising a generally Ushape yoke adapted to be fastened to a support, said yoke having two spaced parallel legs, there being registering circular openings in said legs, a generally cylindrical rod having a straight portion passing through said opening and rotatable therein and extending outside of said legs, one end of said rod being threaded, a securing nut threaded on said one end of said rod outside of the associated leg, a lock nut threaded on said one end of said rod inside of the associated leg, said nuts being adjustable on said rod to control its position endwise relative to said yoke, means for securing one end of a flexible member to said rod between said legs, there being a bent portion in the other end of said rod at its distal end, said bent portion aiding in the rotation of said rod to wind said flexible member thereon, and said bent portion and the associated leg of said yoke having interengaging parts movable by endwise movement of said rod into locking engagement after said flexible member has been tensioned by winding the same on said rod, which engagement is maintained by adjustment of said nuts.
 2. A tensioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bent portion of said rod makes a U-turn back toward said yoke capable of embracing that portion of the associated yoke leg between the straight portion of said rod and one edge of said associated yoke leg, said bent portion of said rod and said embraced portion of said leg providing said interengaging parts.
 3. A tensioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said bent portion of said rod makes substantially a right angle bend away from the straight portion of said rod, there being a recess in the outer face of the associated yoke leg extending radially from said opening in said associated leg through which said rod extends, and said recess receiving said right angle bend upon endwise movement of said rod relative to said yoke and providing said interengaging parts for locking said rod against turning. 